Photos and story by Carly Essman ’30
During the third annual MICDS Winter Term, seventh and eighth-grade students have worked insanely hard to recreate the hit Broadway musical and movie The Lion King Jr. in our own Freeman Theater! During this unique and exciting Winter Term course, students have spent almost the whole day dancing, singing, acting, and learning how to put on a good show, while embracing the MICDS Middle School concepts of L.E.A.D.
Putting on a production in two weeks is not easy, especially The Lion King Jr., but our middle school students were more than capable. Middle School Choir Teacher Jason Roberts expressed the fact that “Little Mermaid and Frozen were a little simpler, in terms of both choreography and music. This one has a lot of language. There is lots of Swahili and that makes it really challenging to learn and memorize, but the kids are doing amazing, and they are really stepping up to the plate to get those things learned.” In addition, the amount of kids who want to participate in the musical has grown immensely. Middle School Counselor, and Lead Choreographer for the Winter Term Musical, Erin Sutherlin, noted that “A nice surprise was how many students wanted to participate. In the past, we had to try and fill the space, but this year we can fill the stage easily, which gives a big effect when it comes to choreography.”
Doing this musical also causes many kids who do not participate in musical arts to challenge themselves while learning something new. Sarvajith Ganapathi Subramanian ’30 stated, “I wanted to try something new and fun. Last year I saw the play, and it looked so fun! Everyone got to be in the spotlight, and I thought I should try that…It really is a utopian environment.” Students who thrive in musical arts even faced their own struggles, pushing themselves to perform in such a short amount of time. Concert Choir member Kaetlyn Smith ’30 said, “The most challenging part of producing this musical has been learning so many things at once. We have to remember music, choreography, lines, and blocking all at the same time, which can be a lot. Playing Nala has also been challenging because she is such a strong character, and I want to make sure I show her emotions correctly. Rehearsals can be long and tiring, but it’s worth it!”
Participating in the Winter Term musical was an incredibly positive and fun experience for students, no matter their musical level. The lyrical intensity of the songs and the number of choreographed pieces pushed students, allowing them to strengthen not only their musical abilities but also their physical skills. In all, a student’s contribution to the musical allowed new friendships to form, memories to be made, and lessons to be learned!
Full program below!
The Lion King Jr.
Music & Lyrics by
ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE
Additional Music & Lyrics by
LEBO M, MARK MANCINA, JAY RIFKIN, ANDS HANS ZIMMER
Book by
ROGER ALLERS & IRENE MECCHI
Based on the Broadway production directed by
JULIE TAYMOR
Special thanks to
MI Class of ‘54
Directed by Charlotte Dougherty
Musical Direction by Jason Roberts
Choreography by Erin Sutherlin
CAST
Ensemble – Blair Cabbabe ’31, Eloise Danforth ’30, Ainsley Gardner ’31, Shreya Gobczynski ’30, Catherine Hall ’31, Sarvajith Ganapathi Subramanian ’30, Addie Rowland ’31, Aarya Satwani ’31, and Stella Williams ’30
Rafiki – Gemma Amini ’30
Mufasa – R. Walker ’31
Scar – Charlie Miller ’30
Zazu – Abby Armstrong ’30
Young Simba – Matthew Elliott ’31
Young Nala – Lucy Meyer ’30
Simba – David Keech ’30
Nala – Kaetlyn Smith ’30
Timon – Marie Corley ’30
Pumbaa – Julianna Peritore ’30
Sarabi – Chloe Hill ’30
Sarafina – Johanna Sanchez ’30
Banzai – Daphne Skemer ’30
Shenzi – Audrey Moore ’30
Ed – Lexi Essman ’30
Understudies: Catherine Hall ’31 (Rafiki), Ainsley Gardner ’31 (Timon), Addie Rowland ’31 (Pumbaa), Johanna Sanchez ’30 (Nala)
TECH
Set and Props Build Crew: Noah Bennet ’31, A. Bierman ’30, Quinnlyn Carpenter ’31, Mallory Champlin ’30, Chloe Chan ’31, Zoya Cheema ’30, Austin Hardison ’30, Ashna Jain ’30, Austin Jenkins ’31, Antoine Laforest-Jing ’31, Julia Leonard ’30, Ava Maher ’30, Clark Martin ’30, Jules Poucel ’30, E. Swank ’31, and Alice Tarver ’30; Assisted by Debra Mein
Costume Design and Build Crew: L. Scanlon ’31, Mira Thompson ’31, Aaraya Satwani ’31, Lucy DuBose ’30, Hailey Payne ’30, Anvi Pullakandam ’30, Elsa Moore ’30, and Neha Jagadish ’30; Assisted by JoAnne Vogel; Special thanks for extra help from Bonnie Carpenter and Lindsay Monser
Lion Headpieces: Neha Jagadish ’30, Ashna Jain ’30, Mary Molamphy ’30, Anvi Pullakandam ’30, and Hailey Payne ’30
Lighting Crew: E. Coff ’30, James Brogan ’30, Isaac Mba ’31, Jasiri Virgilio ’31
Sound Assist: Dominic Dodds ’31
Makeup Crew: Emma DeBord ’30, Maddie Dimit ’31, Aarushi Gokulakrishnan ’30, Mary Molamphy ’30, Annabel Stowe ’31, and Peytyn Williams ’31
Wardrobe and Props Crew: Colin McDonough ’30, Lucas McGehee ’30, Amaar Raja ’30, and Ada Song ’30
Program: Maddie Dimit ’31, Annabel Stowe ’31, and Peytyn Williams ’31